Fuel-combustion-rate intensifier



p 1929- A. J. SIEVERS FUEL COMBUSTION RATE INTENSIFIER Filed Feb. 19,1924 INVENTOR. flaw/Fri Jim 075' Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

- ALBERT J. SIEVEBS, OI OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

FUEL-COKBUSTION-RATE gm'rmsmmn.

Application filed February 19, 1224. Serial No. 693,948.

My invention relates to a device adapted for use in connection with aninternal combustion engine to render the fuel charge more highlycombustible.

An ob'ect of the invention is to provide a device w ich will cause thefuel charge in the intake manifold of the engine tobe transformed toionized vapor prior to entering the cylinder. Another object of theinvention is to pro.-

vide a device of the character described which is operated by theignition system of the en gme.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 16 vide a device of thecharacter described which at low and normal speeds of the engine, willdeliver ionized fuel to the intake manifold for mixture with the fuelcharge, but at high speeds of the engine will deliver air exclusively.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the followingdescription of the preferred form of my invention which is illustratedin the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. Itis to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made bythe said drawings and description, as I may adopt variations of thepreferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in theclaims.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is perspective view of an engine equipped with my device. a

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the device.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3,-3 of Figure2.

Figure 4 is vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

As illustrated in the drawings, the device of my invention is applied toan internal combustion engine 6 of the multi-cylinder type, 46 and ispreferably attached to the manifold 7 through which the fuel char e isdrawn into each engine cylinder. The el mixture for the major portion ofthe charge is preferably drawn in atomized form into the assage 8 of themanifold from a suitable car uretor 9 positioned at the mouth of themanifold.

The device in its preferred form comprises a housing 12 having achamberor passage 13 therein which is adapted to communicate with the intakepassage 8. As here shown the hous- 5 ing ,is formed with an externallythreaded extension 14: which is arranged to be screwed into the manifoldand is provided with perforations 16 which allow communication betweensaid chamber and the passage 8.

Means are provided for causing a comparatively thin stream of liquidfuel to be drawn into the passage 13 when a suction obtains in any ofthe engine cylinders. Connectingv the passage 13 with the carburetorfuel supply pipe 17 is pipe 18. The size of the steam of fuel drawn fromthe pipe 18 into the passage is controlled by means of an adjustableneedle 19, and the admission of said fuel into i the passage iscontrolled by a valve 21. The

latter inc udes a ball 22 which is normally held against a seat 23 bymeans of a spring .24. When a partial vacuum obtains in the manifold,the ball will be raised against the resistance of the springand a chargeof fuel will be drawn through the valve and discharged into the pass e13. Thus it will be clear that at each inta e stroke of the cylinderpistons fuel will be drawn through said latter passage.

Means are further provided for causing the fuel in the passage 13 to bedissociated and ionized prior to its discharge into the manifold passage8. In the present embodiment of the invention dissociation andionization 35 of the fuel is effected by passing an electric currentthrough said fuel while in passage 13. Accordingly there is referablyarranged in said passage a pair of insul'ated electrode points acrosswhich an electric spark is adapt- I passage 13 may-be inspected an Withthe fuel charge in the cylin ball 22 by is retracted, it

ed to jump. The fuel when thus ionized, is drawn into the manifold andthere mixes with the atomized fuel mixture coming from the carburetor,and as a result by the time the fuel charge enters the cylinders it willhave become thoroughly vaporized and thoroughly mixed with welldistributed ionized articles.

ers, thus a high derapid combustion of the rendered chemicall active tosuch gree, thorough an fuel will be assured.

It will be noted that the fuel charge'drawn through the manifold has nowbeen arranged to be rendered more combustible without relying upon theheat created by the engine, thus enabling the engine to be readilystarted when cold. Furthermore, since the fuel charge is rendered sohighly combustible, greater flexibility and economy in the operation ofthe engine will be afforded.

In the present embodiment of-the invention the device is adapted to beoperatively connected to the ignition system of the engine, an electricspark being caused to jump across the electrode points in the passage 13when a spark is caused to occur in one of the cylinders. As here shownthe two electrodes are connected in one conductor of the ignitioncircuit, leading. from the timer or distributor 27 to one of the sparkplugs 28 of the engine.

Means are preferably included for preventing the fuel from being drawninto the passage 13, and for causing air to be substituted for said fuelin' the said passage, when the engine is running at high speeds. As hereshown said means comprises a valve 28 which is adapted to admit air intothe passage 13 and thereby prevent the displacement of the thesuction-created in theengin cylinders. The valve includes a springpressed pressed plunger 29 which is normally closed so as to prevent theadmission of air into the passage; however,

allows air to enter the passage 13 through perforations 31. The plungoris here'shown connected to the throttle lever of the carburetor by meansof a flexible rod 32 and in such manner that the lever will pull saidplunger to open the valve. 28 when the throttle valve in the carburetoris opened a predetermined amount. It is obvious that the air valve 28may be manually controlled by the operator if desired.

In order that the fuel passin through the its variation in density,caused by adjustment, observed, I preferably provide a mica coveredopening in the housing over electrode points.

I claim:

1. The combination with an internal combustion engine having anelectrical ignition system, a source of fuel, a passage from said sourcethrough which fuel is adapted to when the plunger the area between thedrawn into the cylinder of the engine, a secon'dary fuel passage leadingfrom said source into said first passage,.a normally closed valvecontrollin the flow of fuel to said secondary passage a a ted to beopened by the suction created in t e cylinder, n said secondary passageconnected wit said ignition system whereby a spark will be producedacross said points when ignition occurs in the cylinder.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination set forth inclaim 1, characterized b means operativeto cause air instead of uel tobe drawn into the secondary passage when the engine is running'above apredetermined speed.

3. The combination with an internal combustion engine, a passage fromwhich the fuel charge is adapted to be. admitted into the enginecylinder, a secondary fuel passage leading into said first passa e, anormally closed valve controlling theow of fuel to said secondarypassage adapted to be opened by the suction created in the cylinder, andmeans operative to relieve said suction in so far as its effect on saidvalve is concerned when the charge of fuel drawn into said first passagefrom a source other than said secondary passage is more than apredetermined amount 4. In an internal combustion engine, a fuel intakepassage, means operative to supply vaporized hydrocarbonfuel to saidpassage, means independent of said first means normally operative tosupply ionized fuel to said passage, and manually operable means toefiecti the supply of air in lieu of said ionized In testimony whereof,I have hereunto set m hand at Oakland, California, this 7th day 0February, 1924.

ALBERT J. SIEVERS.

and electrode oints

